Welichem reports positive results with its lead anticancer agent
VANCOUVER, Sept. 23 /CNW/ - Welichem Biotech Inc. (the “Company”) (TSX-V:
WBI), a biotechnology company developing therapeutic drugs in the fields of
autoimmune diseases and cancer, today announces positive results on the
anticancer activity of its WBI-2000 series of compounds. These results, from
work done by Dr. M. Alaoui-Jamali at the Centre of Translational Research in
Cancer of the Jewish General Hospital in Montreal, showed a potent delay of
tumor growth following administration of the Company’s drug lead, WBI-2100, in
a human melanoma cancer model grown in mice. The results are consistent with
those from in vitro and in vivo studies on WBI-2100 conducted by the US
National Cancer Institute (”NCI”). The Company’s WBI-2100, a fully
synthesized, small molecule compound, delayed the growth of common cancers
such as breast, ovary and colon.
“These positive results of WBI-2100, in studies from different research
laboratories are very encouraging, and the nature of the data open-up
potential for use of this novel agent alone or in conjunction with existing
therapies” said President and CEO Dr. John M. Webster.
Activity against major types of cancer was demonstrated by NCI for
several members of the WBI-2000 series in vitro, and ten of them were selected
by the NCI for further in vivo testing, including in human xenograft models.
This group of compounds can be readily developed and formulated and have no
structural similarity to current therapeutic agents.
Welichem’s compounds in the WBI-2000 series are tested, under a November,
1996 screening agreement, with the Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis Division of
NCI, the principal agency for cancer research of the United States government.
About Welichem Biotech Inc.
Welichem Biotech Inc. is a pioneering Canadian biopharmaceutical company
that is developing proprietary small molecule drugs with large potential and
significant competitive advantages in areas of auto-immune/ inflammatory
diseases and cancer. The first lead compound is in formal preclinical
development for therapeutic application against psoriasis.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
John M. Webster
President and CEO
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this news
release. This press release contains forward-looking statements that include
our belief as to the potential of our WBI-2000 series compounds. Certain risks
and uncertainties such as results of pre-clinical tests of our products, the
availability of funds and resources to pursue research and development
projects, outcomes of our patent applications, and our ability to successfully
commercialize the products could cause the Company’s actual results to differ
materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
%SEDAR: 00021386E
For further information: Dr. John Webster, President & CEO,
(604) 432-1703, email: jwebster@welichem.com or Allan McGirr, Investor
Relations, (604) 317-2981, email: amcgirr@welichem.com
